Joni Mitchell followers, get your tissues prepared. On tonight’s PBS particular, Joni Mitchell: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Common Music, her contemporaries equivalent to James Taylor and Herbie Hancock and followers equivalent to Brandi Carlile and Diana Krall pay tribute to the legendary singer-songwriter with interpretations of a few of her classics.
Amongst them: Marcus Mumford performs “Carey,” Herbie Hancock and Ledisi carry out “River” and Angélique Kidjo sings “Assist Me.”
Mitchell herself, who had largely stopped performing within the final twenty years earlier than showing finally yr’s Newport Folks Pageant, mesmerized the viewers with a transparent and wealthy rendition of George Gershwin’s “Summertime.”
The live performance happened on March 1 at Structure Corridor in Washington, D.C. All through the PBS particular, which paperwork the occasion, musical tributes are interspersed with images and movies from all through Mitchell’s profession. Her visible artwork gives the backdrop as her associates and collaborators take the stage.
“Joni Mitchell’s music hits you straight to your coronary heart, all the way down to your soul,” feedback Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden earlier than giving Mitchell the prize. “You may say she has actually helped all of us have a look at either side now.”
Earlier recipients of the Gershwin Prize embrace Paul Simon, Stevie Surprise, Sir Paul McCartney, the songwriting duo of the late Burt Bacharach and the late Hal David, Carole King and Smokey Robinson.
“I am a artistic individual. I just like the artistic course of,” Mitchell mentioned in a press release. “I have been a painter all my life. I have been a musician most of my life. If you happen to can paint with a brush, you possibly can paint with phrases. … It is an amazing honor to hitch the pantheon of recipients.”
Joni Mitchell: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Common Music airs on PBS stations at 9 p.m. ET tonight. It would broadcast to U.S. Division of Protection areas around the globe by way of the American Forces Community.